Review of Air Quality Objectives (2016-2018)

Summary

The Environment Bureau and Environmental Protection Department conducted a review of the air quality objectives (AQOs) from mid-2016 to December 2018, and submitted a review report to the Advisory Council on the Environment in February 2019. A three-month public consultation was then launched between July and October 2019. Taking into account the various factors and views gathered, the protection of public health and the principle of progressively tightening the AQOs thus improving air quality on a sustainable basis, the Government has tightened three AQOs (including 24-hour AQO of sulphur dioxide (SO₂), the annual and 24-hour AQOs of fine suspended particulates (PM_2.5)) which took effect on 1 January 2022.

Engagement with stakeholders

Under this review, the Under Secretary for the Environment led an AQO Review Working Group (Working Group) to engage relevant stakeholders and gathered their views via four dedicated sub-groups on key aspects of the review, namely Air Science & Health, Road Transportation, Marine Transportation, and Energy & Power Generation. Members of the Working Group include representatives from the field of air science, health, green groups, chambers of commerce, professional bodies, relevant trades and representatives from relevant Government bureaux and departments.

More information on the Working Group

More information on the Sub-groups

Other Emission Sources

The review has also engaged other relevant stakeholders to explore possible new air quality improvement measures on other emission sources not covered in the sub-groups, including products containing volatile organic compounds, non-road mobile machinery, cooking fume and civil aviation. Information can be found here.